Yay! It's time for me to unveil another collection of off-the-beaten-path holiday gift ideas. Some of these are items I have actually purchased while a good number are on my wish list and will be purchased soon. Just like last year, these are all BBQ joint-related or BBQ joint adjacent.
Hopefully, you'll find something for that special someone (or treat yourself), but do remember that due to shipping delays across the country, even if you get an order in early you may not receive it before the day you need it (some items have long (ish) lead times too). My suggestion is to print up a photo of the item and include a note along with 'arriving soon' (or something a bit more clever).
ALSO, it is always a great idea to get a gift card from your local BBQ joint to give as a gift. It would be appreciated by both the recipient and the BBQ spot. I have a nationwide list of BBQ joints that have online gift cards HERE that I will continue to update to assist you.
Happy Holidays!
Moo's - John Troxell Photography - John has over a thousand photos (easily) that I love and would want to hang on my wall, but this pastrami beef rib photo he took while visiting Moo's Craft Barbecue is really special AND now you can actually purchase it! Head on over to his new online store HERE to buy this and over three dozen other photographs to order. It's printed on Coventry rag 300 archival paper and inspected, dated and signed in person by John. Prices start at $ 350.00 for 24" x 18" and go up to $ 1,000.00 for the 45" x 30". Follow him on Instagram HERE to beautify your feed.
Truth BBQ Hoodie - This Truth BBQ hoodie is honestly (I was going to say 'truthfully', but decided against it) one of my favorite things. It's super soft and inspires even those who don't know it's an amazing barbecue spot in both Houston and Brenham, Texas. Available in sizes medium to XXL and if you order soon you MAY still get it before 'Santa' eats all the cookies. Purchase it HERE. Price $ 65.00.
Jon Flaming BBQ Joint Prints - It's no secret I'm a huge fan of Jon Flaming's work. His artwork is unabashedly Texas-centric and uniquely his own style, but also his success as an artist embodies his tenacity. He worked tirelessly at his craft in the evenings after the kids went to bed while he worked at his day job. That alone should inspire those with an unfulfilled dream. I know it does for me. Tucked neatly within his collection of prints on his website are a number of killer BBQ joint prints which are just too cool. Prints of the BBQ joint collection are (as a rule) $ 525.00 for 24 x 30 inches and $ 750.00 for 32 x 40 inches. See them HERE (just scroll down a bit). All prices included are the base price of an unstretched, unframed, signed, and numbered giclee print. Simply send him an email at jon@jonflaming.com to order (or inquire about any other pieces you'd like). Stretching, framing, shipping & sales tax costs are additional. The current lead time is 3-4 weeks.
New Zion Missionary Baptist Church BBQ - Huntsville 
Prine's BBQ - Wichita Fallas 
Franklin Barbecue - Austin
Chapas - Mill Scale Metal Works - Not only are the guys at Mill Scale Metal Works some of the kindest and most talented pit builders on the planet, but they dabble in a number of other amazing welded creations. One of which are these awesome Chapas which come in 4 sizes, are available with or without legs AND are available now to order (the lead time is 8 weeks, but an order secures you one). I say this because almost all of their other items are SOLD OUT until Spring 2022 (which really is only a couple blinks of your eyes away) so if you are interested in any of those items sign up for their email newsletter HERE to be notified when they restock. Prices range from $ 165.00 for the 11" without legs to $ 275.00 for the 23" x 15" with legs. Price does not include shipping however you can pick yours up at their location in Lockhart if you are nearby. Place your orders ASAP HERE.
Single-Use / Disposable Cutting Boards - Hardcore Carnivore - Not only is Jess Pryles insanely knowledgable when it comes to barbecue and meat science, but she's super savvy and sees voids within the barbecue world that need to be filled. Hence this set of (30) 18" x 24" single-use cutting boards was born. They are 'big enough for brisket, sturdy enough for an electric knife', and perfect for hunting, outdoor cooking, catering, you name it. Better yet, they are coated with a hydrophobic (water-resistant) food-safe layer, making them extra durable and feature a handy 1 and 2-inch grid for convenient measurement. Purchase your pack of 30 HERE at $ 26.99 each.
Rosewood Block & Co. - Rosewood Block & Co. was started by college buddies, Tyler and James, along with Tyler's wife Kayla with the idea in mind to create a beautiful well-constructed butcher block with a bold design style, but always be open to further innovation and improvement. These blocks are super sturdy and really showcase any meat you are cutting. Also, many of your favorite barbecue joints and barbecue people (Matt from Meat Church is a huge fan) use them. So they have strong industry support and use. I reached out to Tyler and James for more information about Rosewood and graciously they offered YOU a 10% discount if you use my first name "KEVIN" (for orders placed through the end of January). Which is super cool and a first for the gift guide. Their lead time is 12 weeks for any item not in stock, but be sure to check their website as they add items to their 'in the stockroom' HERE. Prices vary. You can order your today HERE.
Custom Knives - Texas Sage Forge - The knives that Sergio Menchaca creates by hand, in small batches at his home, are truly both incredible and beautiful. He uses reclaimed Texas steel and handles made from wood found in Texas. When you get a knife from Texas Sage Forge you are getting a tool with a true Texas story. And who wouldn't want a hand-forged knife made by the principal of a Texas high school? Call him at 432-638-4869 (or email him through his website HERE) to place orders and discuss exactly what type of blade you are looking for. His current lead time is about 10 weeks.
Mini Belt Sander - If you order a one-of-a-kind knife from Texas Sage Forge (or simply have a really nice knife) you're going to want to sharpen it properly. To learn more I went to Bradley Robinson of Chud's BBQ and LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue to learn more AND how to properly use a belt sander for this. You can see that HERE. Moreover, you can purchase the Mini 1 x 30 Belt Sander HERE, the set of 6 Grits and a Leather Strop HERE, and of course Belt Sander Strop Wax HERE.
My Big BBQ Adventure Book by Barbecue Wife - How wonderfully awesome is this? This children’s BBQ travel adventure journal was written by Catherine Stiles (Stiles and Switch BBQ in Austin and Cedar Park as well as The Switch in Dripping Springs) and her two children Stella (age 9), and Ava (age 8) Stiles after their own adventures in BBQ inspired them to put together a children’s travel book that the entire family could enjoy. This book is a journal-style with a personalized “fill in the blanks” format that gives kids of all ages a chance to hop on the bbq trail and capture the fun sights, tastes, and experiences of all the iconic bbq joints they visit. The price is $ 15.95 and you can purchase it HERE.
Mighty Quinns Tallow Soap - I think I am going to try to make it a point to have some sort of tallow soap every year. This one comes from Mighty Quinn's Barbeque with locations in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, and even Dubai. Per their website, " tallow-based soap is one of the oldest known natural ways to make soap. Using the four simple ingredients of tallow, lye, organic coconut charcoal, and peppermint oil we’ve created an all-natural soap to reduce our carbon footprint." Single bars are $ 6.00 and a case of six is $ 35.00. Place your orders HERE.
Hand-crafted BBQ Metal Items - Voigt Emporium - I have a soft spot for craftsmanship. That's one of the reasons I truly love barbecue. The craft. The dedication and the time it takes to learn how to really be good at it. Aaron Voigt is one of those guys. He's a witch at metalwork and creates insanely creative pieces and wonderfully shares a passion for barbecue that many of us do. I personally have a robot bank named 'Brisket' from Voigt Emporium, but I plan on getting a number of other items because they are just so damn cool. See his Robot Banks HERE and Key Racks HERE. Also, be sure to follow him on Instagram HERE to see his new work daily AND the pits he builds (yes...he builds pits).
Strangers Guide to Texas - Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden - The 'Stranger's Guide is a mission-driven quarterly print magazine that focuses on a single location (per issue) with photo essays, fiction, and long-form writing that explore food and arts alongside politics, history, and economics. Their newest Issue, the TEXAS issue just came out and is Texas-Sized in its greatness! If you like good, creative, content this is the holiday read for you.' The price is only $ 20.00 and you can place orders HERE.
Aprons - Hedley & Bennett - My Hedley & Bennet apron is one of my favorite things. Truly. Ellen Bennett started H&B because she wanted to create a better quality, more functional, and good-looking apron that would work in both a commercial kitchen and for home use (she started out working in some of the best kitchens in Los Angeles). You can't go wrong with any apron you purchase so I am not going to go into great detail about each one. Just choose the one that suits your gift recipient and they'll be beyond happy. If an item shows out of stock there is a 'notify me' button to get an update when it comes back in stock. Better yet, sign up for their newsletter HERE to receive early access. Prices vary. Place your order HERE.
Holy Trinity BBQ Candles - Meat Fight - I have been asked a million and seven times where I got these candles so just follow THIS LINK and you can get some for yourself. ALSO, also, you are donating towards Meat Fight which is dedicated to helping people living with multiple sclerosis stay active while supporting research for a cure. They started in 2010 as a backyard BBQ competition in Dallas and have now become a 501c3 nonprofit, raised over $2 million for the National MS Society, and developed programs both to assist research and to support athletes across the nation living with MS in endurance efforts like cycling events, marathons, triathlons and more. They are an amazing organization and their leader and champion Alice Laussade is beyond cool and witty and generous. The price for the set of 3 candles is $ 40.00 and you can order them HERE or if you don't need to light up a room you can donate HERE.
Best in Texas Print - Brisket country - M. Brady Clark has a keen eye for design and branding and has created a ton of images that you might not even realize he created, but he also is an artist and has cool shirts, patches, hats, flags, AND prints on his website. The 'Best in Texas' one below is one of my favorites. It's just $ 30.00 and can be purchased HERE. The print is 24” x 18” and is signed and numbered.
Leroy and Lewis Beanie Box - Leroy and Lewis Barbecue - Keep the heads of your BBQ-loving buddies warm with matching beanies, featuring the L&L cartoon duo from their friends at Helms Workshop! Comes gift-ready in our branded gift box! Holiday L&L Beanie Box (set of 3) - $ 45.00. Order HERE
Foodways Texas Membership - Give the Gift of Membership to someone. Why would this be a fabulous gift? I'm glad you asked. First off, Foodways Texas, founded in 2010, is a non-profit, member-driven organization that preserves, promotes, and celebrates the diverse food cultures of Texas. Being a member lets you support this initiative and gives you 10% off of registration to their statewide events and their awesome annual symposium (these will be in person going forward most likely). Secondly (and possibly more important to you or your gift recipient) you get advance notice along with the ability to sign up for a chance (the coveted lottery) to attend Camp Brisket and Barbecue Summer Camp. Without a membership, you cannot sign up for the lottery. Win/win. Sign them up HERE.
Goode Company Pecan Pie - I had to include a dessert and felt like going the classic Texas dessert route. This Goode Company pie features Texas pecans harvested from the banks of the Brazos River and arrives in a custom branded box which keeps the pie safe and doubles as a gift itself. The price is $ 45.00 per pie and you can place your order HERE.
Camo Windbreaker - Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ - I have had this windbreaker bookmarked for almost a year now. Word on the street is that it's super warm, very cozy, and gives you barbecue street cred. It also shows off your love for Valentina's. It's only $ 65.00 and you can purchase HERE.
Orange Frisbee - Franklin Barbecue - Since everyone needs a frisbee (or another one) I wanted to show you one that I'm super fond of. This Franklin Barbecue frisbee is specifically designed to distract you while in line for barbecue OR make you think of brisket while you are at the park or on the beach. It's 9" in diameter and $ 10.00 each. Buy yours HERE.
Waffle House Vistas - The Bitter Southerner - I love waffles and houses that serve waffles. "No story we published in 2019 was more widely read than Micah Cash’s “Waffle House Vistas.” So we turned it into a hardcover book — all of Micah's photographs from inside Waffle Houses all over the South, plus new material: a foreword by New Orleans novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin (We Cast a Shadow) and an afterword from North Carolina writer Laura Bullard." The price is $ 42.00 and you can purchase this hardbound book HERE.
